Gastrointestinal Parasitism In Goats - Bionomics Of The Suprapopulation And Incidence In Young Goats

Abstract

The Modified Parfitt's Technique (MPT) is used to assess
the concentration of infective nematode larvae on pasture which
gives an indication of the infection to which grazing animals
are exposed . Validation of this technique showed that it was
not successful when applied in the field and variation in
results occurred among different grass species . Using Panicum
maximum ( Guinea ) , Setaria sphacelata var splendida ( Setaria)
and Digitaria setivalva (Mardi Digit) grasses , modifications
were introduced to improve the larval recovery rate . The
soaking of herbage in lukewarm water ( 38'C ) instead of tap
water increased the recovery rate significantly without
variation between the three grasses tested.Using this improved MPT , plot trials were conducted to
assess the longevity of third-stage larvae ( L3 ) of goat
trichostrongyles under the forementioned grass leys . However
the technique failed to recover any L3 . Reasons for this were
low number of larvae , rainfall , and larval - grass/debris
adherence . There is a need for further investigation into this
technique.